Project Overview
Summary: In November 2018, 80 students (ages 14 to 24) from La Red [The Music School Network of Medellín] embarked on a 10-day international tour to perform a collaboratively composed 60-minute musical suite titled “Medellín Canción Viva” [Medellín, A Living Song]. This project celebrated the sounds and culture of Medellín and fostered artistic growth and international cultural exchange.
Project Title: Medellín Cancion Viva — U.S. Tour
Role: Project Manager, Pedagogical Advisor.
Year: 2018
Industries: Music Education, Performing Arts, Cultural Exchange, Event Management, International Management, Concert Production, Social Music Programs, Creative Laboratories.
Deliverables:
✓ Tour planning and coordination: Developed and executed a comprehensive itinerary for the U.S. tour, including scheduling performances, securing venues, and coordinating with local partners.
✓ Tour Project Management: Supervised all phases of the tour, from logistical planning to implementation, ensuring a smooth operational process and addressing any unforeseen challenges.
✓ Pedagogical Advisor: Provided guidance and support for the Creative Laboratories, fostering an environment where students could explore and develop their musical compositions.
✓ Support During the Tour: Traveled with the students and staff, providing ongoing support, supervision, and guidance throughout the tour to ensure a positive and enriching experience for all participants.
Competencies:
Project Management, Strategic Planning, Strategy and Process Design, Event Management, Team Leadership, Pedagogical Expertise, Logistical Coordination, Cultural Sensitivity, Problem-Solving, Community Engagement, Communication, Collaboration.
Context
Client/Organization: La Red de Escuelas de Música de Medellín — La Red
Stakeholders: La Red, Medellin Mayor’s Office, Secretary of Citizen Culture of Medellín, University of Antioquia Foundation.
U.S. Partners: Berklee College of Music, West End House – Boys and Girls Club, OrchKids.
Objective: The main objective of this project was to successfully organize and carry out a U.S. tour for 80 students from La Red. The purpose of the tour was to showcase the students’ original compositions, developed through creative laboratories, and to give them an international stage to perform their suite “Medellín Canción Viva.” The students’ compositions, representing the city and its people, were developed and refined through the sensitivity, talent and creativity of these young artists. In addition, the project aimed to promote cultural exchange, foster the artistic and personal development of the students, and emphasize the importance of collective creativity.
Background: La Red is a program of the Mayor’s Office of Medellín that serves approximately 5,000 students between the ages of 7 and 24 from various municipalities and communities. The program combines music education with the teaching of civic values through project-based learning and emphasizes social-emotional development. The program allows children and youth to creatively and pedagogically engage with music, using formative strategies that integrate performance with reflection and creation.
Challenges: The project presented several significant challenges for me as the project manager and for the team as a whole. These challenges arose from the project’s two main components: the artistic and pedagogical aspect, and the logistical and tour management aspect.
Artistic and Pedagogical Component:
✦ The audition process to select students for the ensemble.
✦ Conducting creative laboratories to develop original compositions.
✦ Organizing rehearsals and performances, both in Medellín and abroad.
Logistical and Tour Management Component:
✦ Coordinating events in multiple cities abroad.
✦ Managing logistics for 90 individuals (80 students and 10 staff members).
✦ Handling travel arrangements, visas, accommodations, meals, transportation, and equipment.
✦ Conducting logistical and administrative work simultaneously with creative activities.
✦ Ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.
✦ Navigating cultural and linguistic differences.
✦ Securing suitable venues for performances.
Balancing these diverse and complex elements required meticulous planning and execution, making the project a demanding yet rewarding endeavor.
Approach
To successfully execute this project and provide our students with artistic growth and cultural exchange, we meticulously coordinated all aspects of the tour to ensure a seamless and memorable experience. This included managing logistics, travel, and accommodations while overseeing creative and educational activities.
✦ Planning and Scope Definition: We began by clearly defining the goals and desired outcomes of the U.S. tour, laying a solid foundation for the entire project.
✦ Audition Process: Approximately 300 students from all 27 La Red music schools auditioned for the tour. From these, 80 students were selected to participate.
✦ Creative Laboratories Preparation: Before the tour, we facilitated two creative labs: one focused on intercultural musical creation and the other on alternative sound production. The labs allowed students to create original music.
✦ Logistical Planning: We meticulously planned and coordinated all logistics for the tour, including travel, visas, accommodation, transportation, and equipment, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all 90 participants.
✦ Tour Execution: Throughout the tour, we provided continuous support and guidance to the students and staff, overseeing rehearsals, performances, and cultural outings.
✦ Pedagogical Guidance: As advisors, we helped students explore their artistic potential and express themselves through music during the creative laboratories, fostering an environment conducive to growth and creativity.
✦ Adaptability and Flexibility: We were flexible and willing to change plans when needed. We were able to change plans quickly, which kept the tour on track and made the students’ experiences better.
Results and Impact
Outcomes
✦ Artistic Showcase: This international tour provided a platform for 80 students from La Red to present their original collaborative compositions to audiences in three U.S. cities. The students performed in six concerts and conducted two workshops, captivating audiences and showcasing the richness of Medellín’s musical culture.
✦ Cultural Exchange: The tour offered invaluable cultural exchange experiences, including visits to Berklee College of Music and Harvard University, attending a Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert, and a meet-and-greet with conductor Marin Alsop. These experiences broadened the students’ horizons, inspiring them with new musical inspirations and career possibilities.
✦ Personal Growth: Participating in the tour was a transformative experience for the students, fostering personal growth, resilience, and increased self-confidence. They successfully navigated language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar surroundings, leading to a broader perspective and a newfound sense of achievement by the end of the tour.
impact
✦ Strengthened Community Ties: The tour fostered a strong sense of community among students, staff, and the broader network of supporters. The shared experiences and collaborative efforts required for the tour strengthened relationships within the group, creating lasting bonds and a deeper sense of unity.
✦ Empowerment through Music: The tour empowered students to express themselves creatively and cultivate pride in their cultural heritage and artistic talents. The creative labs, where they developed music reflecting their city and its culture, deepened their connection to their roots and instilled a profound sense of belonging. By sharing their compositions with audiences in the United States, they showcased the power of music to break down barriers and unite people from different backgrounds.
Learnings
From a Project Management Perspective:
✦ Effective planning: The project shows the importance of strategic planning in facilitating cultural exchange initiatives. By carefully defining goals and outcomes, and fostering partnerships with institutions like Berklee College of Music, Harvard University, West End House, and Orchkids we maximized opportunities for cross-cultural learning and inspiration.
✦ Balancing Artistic and Logistical Challenges: The project successfully balanced artistic development and logistical coordination, achieving its goals. However, a key lesson learned was the importance of assigning separate teams to each aspect in future projects. By establishing separate teams, the project can ensure focused attention on each area, leading to more effective project development and alleviating burnout among team members.
✦ Community Building and Collaboration: The tour’s success was deeply rooted in community building and collaboration. Nurturing strong relationships among students, staff, and partners created a supportive environment conducive to artistic expression and personal growth. This emphasizes the significance of fostering a sense of belonging and unity within project teams.
✦ Flexibility and Adaptability: The ability to adapt and remain flexible in facing unforeseen challenges was crucial to the tour’s success. Being responsive to changing circumstances enabled us to maintain momentum and enhance the overall experience for participants. This highlights the importance of agility in project management, especially in complex, international endeavors.
From a Educative Perspective:
✦ Cultural Exploration and Perspective-Shifting: The tour was a transformative experience, allowing students to witness the world from diverse perspectives. By encountering and sharing cultures different from their own, students gained a profound understanding of global diversity.
✦ Artistic Development: Engaging in creative labs and showcasing their talents on an international platform provided students with opportunities to not only refine their artistic skills but also to explore and express their cultural identity through music.
✦ Collaborative Learning: Engaging with peers, coaches, and audiences from diverse backgrounds promoted cooperative learning and peer support. Students gained an appreciation for teamwork, communication, and collective creativity, fostering a strong sense of community and camaraderie.
✦ Global Citizenship: The tour nurtured a sense of global citizenship among students by highlighting music as a universal language that transcends cultural barriers. Through sharing their music and experiences with international audiences, students served as cultural ambassadors, fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Conclusion
The Medellin Cancion Viva – La Red’s US Tour exemplified the profound impact of music and cultural exchange on young artists. Through careful planning and creative collaboration, the project empowered 80 students to express their cultural heritage and artistic talents on an international stage. The students engaged with institutions such as Berklee College of Music and the West End House Boys and Girls Club and participated in diverse cultural activities. These experiences broadened their perspectives, nurturing personal development, resilience, and a deeper appreciation for global diversity.
The success of this tour highlighted the importance of strategic planning, adaptability, and community building. By balancing artistic development with logistical coordination, the project demonstrated the value of effective project management. Highlighting the students’ role as cultural ambassadors and promoting a sense of global citizenship is crucial for future projects aiming to leverage the transformative potential of music to bridge cultures.